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(NoModelL) A. G. HOFSTATTER.

PICTURE CORD FASTENBR. I No. 358,268.. Patented Feb. 22, 1887..

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I UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

ADOLPH G. HOFSTATTER, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

PICTURE-CORD FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,268, dated February 22, 1887.

Serial No. 208,145. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADOLPH G. HOFSTATTER, of the city, county, and State. of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Picture-Cord Fasteners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in which Figure l is an elevation of one of my improved convolute cord-holders for fastening the ends of picture-cords. Fig. 2 is aview in perspective of the holder, illustrating its use in connection with a knotted cord; Fig. 3, a side View of the device holding a knotted cord,

, the frame to which it is secured being illustrated in section; Fig. at, a similar view ofa frame carrying a convolute holder supporting a looped cord, Fig. 5 being a detached view in perspective of the holder and looped cord; and Fig. 6 isa perspective view ofa modification in which the central end of the spiral is extended outward to form the stem or shank of the convolute holder.

My invention has for its object to provide means for readily making fast the ends of a picture-cord to a picture-frame and to provide a firm secure support for the same, and likewise to facilitate a ready adjustment of the length of the cord.

Ordinarily the picture-cord is fastened to the frame by means of eyes or rings, through which the cord .or wire is led and then tied in a knot or twisted upon itself. VViththese rings it is a difficult matter to properly adjust a picture or to change its adjustment or to detach it from the cord for any purpose. These difficulties are all overcome by the use of my invention. e

The invention consists of a bit of stiff inelastic wire coiled in the form of a flat spiral or convolute, and which terminates, pref-- pendent screws or nails.

In its simplest form my improved cordholder is made of a rod orbit of wire, A, more or less stout, as required, which is turned at one end into a convolute or flat spiral coil, B, as shown in Fig. 1, and whose opposite outer end, 0, left to project as a stem radially iu the plane of the flat spiral ,is pointed and threaded to form a gimlet-pointed screw which may be readily entered into and will obtain firm hold upon the picture-frame or other object to which it is to be attached.

While it is preferable that the stem G be pointed and threaded as a means of attachment for the device, it may be riveted or otherwise secured to a flat base-plate at a right angle to the plane of the spiral, said baseplate being then made to serve as a means by which to fasten the plate with nails or screws to the frame or other object, as desired.

It is evident, also,-that the inner end of the coiled rod may be made to project at a right angle to the plane ofthe spiral and be threaded, as shown in Fig. 6, to serve as a means for the support of the holder, although the use of the outer end of the coiled rod for the purpose is preferable.

In the use of this convolute picture-cord holder it is only necessary to secure a button or to form a knot, E, at the end of the picture cord or wire G, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and to slip the portion of the cord above the knot 'into the spiral coil along its open convolutions for a short distance. As the knot cannot slip through between the convolutions it affords a firm hold and attachment for the cord, admitting, however, of very ready detachment by simply slipping or sliding the cord back out ofthe convolutions ofthe spiral. By slipping the knot forward until the center of the coil is reached the security of the fastening is improved.

The length of the cord may be readily adj usted with reference to the holder by forming a series of knots, F F, &c., in the cord, as shown in Fig. 3.

Instead of using a knot as a means of connecting the cord or wire with the holder, a loop, H, may be made in the end of the cord and slipped into the convolutions, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. By slipping this loop inward until theinnermost turn is reached, as shown in Fig. 4., a very secure support is afforded to the cord by the double turns 1 2 of the wire cord.

I am aware that wire fasteners and hooks for suspending labels, &c., have heretofore been made with an eye formed with one or more complete or partial turns of the same diameter. My invention differs from these in that it consists in the combination of a stiff convolnte or coil (whose several turns, varying in their diameter, are adapted to engage and hold fast a knotted or looped cord) with a projecting threaded shank by which the coil is made fast to the picture-frame, or with an equivalent plate to be held fast by screws or nails.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a device for fastening picturecords to the picture-frame, the combination of an inelastic rigid coil whose several turns onlarge in diameter spirally from center to eir cumferenee, with means, substantially as de scribed, for its attachment to the frame.

2. The holder for fastening cords to picture a knotted cord made fast to the holder by the engagement of its enlarged portion with the eonvolntions of the spiral, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADOLPII G. IIOFSTATTER.

Witnesses:

S. A. Srivnns, A. N. JESBERA. 

